Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekend!
This Twin Cities Family Weekend Guide covers the weekend of October 7-8, 2023. To find our most recent guide, click here.Â
Welcome to the weekend! In search of some inspiration on how to spend what’s predicted to be a lovely couple of fall days with colors close to peak and Halloween creeping ever closer? We’ve spotlighted some best bets for October Weekend Family Fun — fall festivals, pumpkin patch rambles and not-so-spooky holiday treats with a road trip thrown in if you’re feeling extra adventurous. For more ideas for this weekend and beyond, zip over to our OCTOBER FAMILY GUIDE, our ULTIMATE FALL FUN GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR.
She Engineers Returns to the Works
The Works Museum, 9740 Grand Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
This family event was created to inspire girls (in particular) to explore STEM. However, everyone is invited to participate in hands-on activities and demos with women working in engineering and other STEM fields. Learn more and register here. Saturday, October 7, 2023.
TWIN CITIES FESTIVALS THIS WEEKEND FOR THE FAMILY
We can’t get enough of the fresh outdoor fall festivals that populate every corner of the Twin Cities this time of year. Here we feature two we think are worth your time this weekend; plan for more on our FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL CALENDAR.
Brooklyn Park: Eidem Homestead Fall on the Farm
Take a walking tour of the HISTORIC EIDEM FARM while decorating pumpkins, trying the cider press, taking a hayride, roasting marshmallows, making caramel apples and more. October 7, 2023, 9:30-4:30pm. $50/family of four, additional members $5 each. 
Hastings: Carpenter Nature Center Apple Festival
Pick-your-own apples from the orchard, watch cider demos, and enjoy live music, animal programs, and kids activities. CARPENTER ST CROIX VALLEY NATURE CENTER is located in Hastings. October 7-8, 2023, 10am-5pm. FREE!
Hudson, WI: Camp St Croix Fall Harvest Fest
YMCA Camp St. Croix, 345 Riverview Drive, Hudson, WI 54016
Explore the camp’s farm with outdoor activities like a build-your-own pizza market, barn dance, hayride, ag demos, climbing wall and more. October 7, 2023, 2-7pm, suggested donation of $5/pp.
More fall festivals this weekend around the Twin Cities metro:
Minneapolis: Owamni Falling Water Festival
Water Works Park – 333 1st Street S & Mill Ruins Park – 102 Portland Ave, Minneapolis.
A celebration of indigenous Minnesota cultures with music, art and food in the park. October 7, 2023, 1-5pm. FREE admission.
Minnetrista: Gale Woods Farm Fall Festival
7210 County Rd 110 W, Minnetrista, MN 55364
Sheepdog shows, llamas, textile crafts, meet farm animals & tour the gardens. October 7-8, 2023, FREE.
FUN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN TWIN CITIES PARKS THIS WEEKEND
Featured here for the weekend is just a taste of all that’s going on across the incredible Twin Cities park systems. You can get more ideas on our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR or browse the links below to search for local fun events & things to do with kids this weekend in the parks.
SOME FUN FAMILY IDEAS FOR THIS WEEKEND
HYLAND LAKE PARK RESERVE is BLOOMINGTON’S largest recreational space and it’s packed with things to do year-round:
- During the sunny months, it’s probably best known for boasting what may be the largest outdoor playground in Minnesota (“Chutes & Ladders” to those who grew up around here.)
- Kids will enjoy a stop at the RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER – meet resident raptors, reptiles, and amphibians up close. Play around with kid-friendly exhibits such as a puppet theater, scavenger mural and aquariums at just the right height. Outside, engage in free play at the Nature Exploration Area, hike the trails, or drop into one of the weekly FREE FAMILY FUN DAY with Three Rivers parks. Naturalist-led activities run from 1-3pm. See our Family Fun Calendar for this weekend’s theme.
FEATURED TWIN CITIES PARK EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
Where can I see fall colors this weekend?
Winter sports enthusiasts flock to the HYLAND HILLS SKI AREA – however, don’t overlook the other activities on the hill including a very popular fall event: October FALL COLOR CHAIRLIFT RIDES. You must act fast to grab these tickets! October 7-8, 2023, 11:30-5pm. $8.37/pp. MUST PURCHASE ONLINE – THEY WILL SELL OUT! 
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VISIT A TWIN CITIES PUMPKIN PATCH OR CORN MAZE THIS WEEKEND
This weekend’s highlighted fall fun pumpkin patches & corn mazes:
PUMPKIN PATCH PICKS: Patches are in full swing this weekend, and we’ve got the details on 15 on our list we think are worth checking out for their fall activities, farm animals, and fresh produce. Spotlighted this weekend is EVELAND FAMILY FARM in Andover. Hayrides run at 4, 5 & 6pm on weekdays and run continuously from 10:30am until close on weekends. Exploring the farm and its many inhabitants is a highlight — llamas, alpacas, goats, pot-bellied pigs and more. A lovely picnic shelter is available whether you bring your own food or purchase concessions at the farm. Jump over to PICK ONE: TWIN CITIES PUMPKIN PATCHES or click the graphic for more outing ideas.
KIDS IN THE (CORN) MAZES: Love them, fear them, however you feel about corn mazes, they are a staple of outdoor fall fun in Minnesota. Several are opening this weekend, or are already open to challenge you with their latest design. Here are a couple of our favorites, each at a different skill level or find more on our TOP 10 CORN MAZES LIST.
Waldoch Farm Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze
8174 Lake Dr, Lino Lakes, MN 55014
Admission to the Joyer Adventure Farm at Waldoch gets you access to all the Fall weekend activities including their 2-phase corn maze (one shorter for younger kids). Other reasons to spend a day — a scenic pumpkin patch, a sunflower walk, Joyer Barnyard with all the animals, pedal trikes, playhouses and a mini tractor train ride. Timed tickets sold online only.
$14.99/pp, includes all Joyer Adventure Farm activities.
Peter’s Pumpkins & Carmen’s Corn
12860 Old Brick Yard Rd, Shakopee, MN 55379
The corn maze is open all week. On weekends, take a free hayride to the pumpkin field. Open daily in October — Weekdays 11am – 6:30pm and weekends 9am – 6:30pm. Free admission!
MORE IDEAS FOR THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES WITH KIDS
Kick off Fire Prevention Week in the Twin Cities
Fire Prevention Week runs from Sunday, October 8, to Saturday October 14, 2023. Traditionally, fire stations around the Twin Cities host open houses and other Fire Prevention month events. Indulge your future firefighter’s or big rig enthusiast’s love of big red engines with opportunities THIS WEEKEND – and check our list of FIRE PREVENTION MONTH ACTIVITIES for more ideas: Here are a few (FREE!) events that might interest kids interested in big rigs and other heavy equipment:
Eden Prairie City-Wide Open House
Eden Prairie City Center, 8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344
Check out city vehicles and equipment along with exhibits and demonstrations. October 7, 2023; 11 am-2 pm. FREE.
Shoreview Touch-A-Truck
Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St N Shoreview, MN 55126
Kids can climb into a snowplow, dump truck, and other vehicles. Lower level parking lot. Free. Drop In. October 7, 2023, 9am-12pm.
St. Anthony Fire Department Open House
St. Anthony Fire Station, 3505 Silver Lake Road, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Families can tour the fire trucks and the station and meet the firefighters. Other fun and educational activities include: safety booths; take-home activity for the kids; kitchen safety trailer, and an obstacle course. October 7, 2023, 1-4pm. FREE.
Fridley Fire Open House
7071 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55432
Take a vehicle tour while learning fire safety. Visitors will also meet firefighters and see the new fire station and firefighting equipment. October 7, 2023, 10am-2pm.
Home Depot Workshops for Kids: Rescue Float Plane
Participating Twin Cities Home Depot locations
The first Saturday of each month kids get a kit to build, apron and pin while supplies last; adults must accompany children. October 7, 2023, 9am-12pm. FREE.
Arts for all!
Walker Art Center Free First Saturday
725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Free admission for the whole family! Explore the galleries with an activity guide, watch a family friendly short film, and participate in art-making onsite. October 7, 2023, 10am-3pm.
Minneapolis Institute of Art Family Day: Fall Into Color
2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
For those of you either with young kids you’ve been too skittish to bring to an art museum or you with older kids who claim art museums are a snooze, this is an event worth considering. The MIA plans fun activities promoting art enjoyment and with a theme inviting a unique perspective of the galleries. October 8, 2023, 11am-5pm.
Take a fall weekend road trip!
Oktoberfest in New Ulm, Minnesota
Enjoy the peak of fall colors en route to this south central Minnesota town a couple hours’ drive from the Twin Cities. OKTOBERFEST IN NEW ULM, running October 6-7 & 13-14, 2023, is rocking with a festival, parade and activities reflecting the city’s proud Germanic heritage. Other nearby attractions worth a stop for families are the city’s Glockenspiel, Schell Brewery and Flandrau State Park. We have all kinds of ideas for a weekend road trip in our list of 10 THINGS TO DO IN NEW ULM, MINNESOTA, WITH KIDS.
Find hundreds more things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul with kids!
